10 Best Japanese Whetstones of 2023 Reviews [100% Effective Solution]

10 Best Japanese Whetstones of 2023 Reviews [100% Effective Solution]

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Can’t you make precise cuts with a dull knife? Don’t worry because the best Japanese whetstones are here to rescue! This type of product can help you restore any bad knife blade to its sharpest state. 

Many types of whetstones are available on the market today. However, not all products have the same high quality. Without a good buying experience, you may purchase a bad stone.

Based on our experience, we have tested and picked out the top 10 best Japanese-style whetstones. You can scroll down to see our 10 reviews and choose the most suitable one for your needs!

If you’re short on time, here’s our quick pick!

Best OverallBest For VersatilityBest For Portability
10 Best Japanese Whetstones of 2023 Reviews [100% Effective Solution]
Intelitopia Complete Knife Sharpening Stone SetKERYE Professional Japanese Whetstone Sharpener StoneShapton Japanese Whetstone Sharpening Stone ‎3-0222-0108
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The Best Japanese Whetstones Reviews

Here come our reviews of the top 10 best Japanese whetstones!

1. Intelitopia Complete Knife Sharpening Stone Set – Best For Safety 

Important Specifications

  • Brand: Intelitopia
  • Weight: 5.74 pounds
  • Package dimensions: 10.12 x 8.39 x 3.58 inches
  • Material: Corundum
  • Base material: Non-slip rubber, bamboo
  • Color: Blue, light blue, red, black
  • Set content: 1000/400, 3000/8000, coarse flattening stone, angle guide

Product’s Highlights

The Intelitopia Set includes all the essential pieces of equipment for high knife sharpening efficiency and safety in use.

This set contains 2 dual-sides whetstones that work for multiple tasks. 1 stone is 1000/400 that helps you fix your dull knives. The other is 3000/8000, which can work to bring any blade edge to its sharpest state.

You never worry about accidents while sharpening your knife. This set contains 3 non-slip rubber bases and 1 bamboo case. With these 4 pieces of equipment, the whetstones will stay in their place during the entire sharpening process.

We find the instructions not easy to understand. You may have to learn from other videos on the Internet to understand how to use these whetstones.

Pros

  • Dual-sided whetstones serving multiple tasks
  • 4 non-slip bases for safety
  • Angle guide for accurate sharpening
  • Ease in cleaning

Cons

  • Quick wearing down
  • Hard to understand instructions

Bottom Line

No matter if you are a beginner or a professional chef, this whetstone set can support all. It is designed with all the tools for high working efficiency and safety in use.

2. KERYE Professional Japanese Whetstone Sharpener Stone Set KY28 – Best For Versatility

Important Specifications

  • Brand: KERYE
  • Weight: 4.99 pounds
  • Package dimensions: 9.13 x 8.23 x 3.7 inches
  • Material: Premium White Fused Alumina
  • Base material: Non-slip bamboo
  • Color: Blue, light blue, white, red
  • Set content: 1000/400, 3000/8000, coarse flattening stone, angle guide

Product’s Highlights

We have been impressed by the high versatility of this KERYE set. This kit contains 2 dual-sided water whetstones that can support in sharpening all types of knives, no matter if they are for home or professional uses.

The 4 sides of the 2 stones have different amounts of grit. Specifically, the grit grades are 400, 1000, 3000, and 8000. Each grade of grit is suitable for you to sharpen a specific type of knife.

As the manufacturers say, the 2 waterstones will get along well with multiple knives, including steak knife, paring knife, Santoku knife, cleaver knife, fruit knife, butcher knife, and so on. Believe it or not, these stones can even be used to sharpen an Axe!

These products are made of natural materials. You should only lubricate the stones with water, not oil. The oil may cause mold and downgrade the rocks.

Pros

  • Dual-sided whetstones for versatility
  • Support sharpening all types of knives and axe
  • Giving razor-sharp results
  • The non-slip bamboo base for safety

Cons

  • Not support oil
  • Not allowed to soak 3000/8000 in the water

Bottom line

If you have multiple knife types of sharpening, this KERYE set is for you! The 2 waterstones in this kit can work with both home and professional knives. They can even make the blade of an axe sharp!

3. Shapton Japanese Whetstone Sharpening Stone ‎3-0222-0108 – Best For Portability

Important Specifications

  • Brand: Shapton
  • Weight: ‎1.41 pounds
  • Package dimensions:‎ 9.09 x 3.5 x 1.61 inches
  • Material: Ceramic
  • Base material: Plastic case
  • Color: Melon
  • Set content: 8000

Product’s Highlights

As a flexible chef, you probably will want to carry a whetstone with you to move from place to place. In this case, this Shapton 3-0222-0108 product is our recommendation.

The package contains a protective case and a high-grit (#8000) whetstone. These 2 items are only 1.41 pounds heavy with compact dimensions of 9.09 x 3.5 x 1.61 inches. You are free to store this set in your bag and bring it anywhere you like.

Ease in carrying does not mean low efficiency. The whetstone has a high grade of grit (8000), which can give you convenience in sharpening the blade edge of any dull knife. If you are a stickler for safety, you can use the case as a base for holding the stone.

However, we found this stone coming with an oily surface out of the box. We had to lap to remove that coating before using, which is somewhat a handful.

Pros

  • High grit grade
  • Lightweight for ease in carrying
  • Storage case protecting the stone during transportation
  • Case working as a sharpener holder

Cons

  • Oily surface at first
  • Only 1 whetstone in the set

Bottom line

This Shapton 3-0222-0108 product is suitable for any mobile chef who usually changes the working place. You can put the stone in the storage case and easily carry these 2 items from place to place.

4. Yoshihiro Professional Grade Toishi YC3000 – Best For Large Sharpening Surface

Important Specifications

  • Brand: Yoshihiro
  • Weight: ‎2.7 pounds
  • Package dimensions:‎ 10 x 4.7 x 2.8 inches
  • Material: Stone
  • Base material: Wood
  • Color: White
  • Set content: 3000, conditioning stone

Product’s Highlights

Do you have a large knife to sharpen? If yes, place your trust in this Yoshihiro YC3000!

This 3000-grit whetstone has a large dimension of 8 x 2.85 x 9 inches without the base. The size is big enough for you to sharpen any big blade.

The special thing is, this whetstone provides a large sharpening surface of 2.9 inches. Thanks to this wide area, you can sharpen the knife blade at the highest accuracy.

We do not feel pleased with the durability of this product. If you use the whetstone frequently, many micro metal particles and micro-scratches will build upon the surface of it.

Pros

  • Large dimensions
  • Large sharpening surface of 2.9 inches
  • Nagura conditioning stone included
  • Easy to understand video instructions

Cons

  • Micro metal particles and micro-scratches building up
  • No stone fixer included

Bottom line

With the Yoshihiro YC3000 by your side, sharpening large knives will be a piece of cake! The whetstone features a large working surface of 2.9 inches, which will help you sharpen the blade at the highest accuracy!

5. KING KW65 Grit Combination Whetstone – Best For Convenience In Use

Important Specifications

  • Brand: KING
  • Weight: ‎1 pound
  • Package dimensions:‎ 7.25 x 2.5 x 1 inches
  • Material: Ceramic
  • Base material: Plastic
  • Color: Brown
  • Set content: 1000/6000

Product’s Highlights

The KING KW65 comes up with a dual design that will bring a lot of conveniences to users. You can use this whetstone set for regular tasks.

As you can notice, the top side of this whetstone has a standard grit grade of 1000. You can use this face to sharpen the knife blade every time before cooking.

When the edge of the blade becomes dull, you just need to rotate the face of the stone. The other side of the blade has 6000 grits, which will help you refine the sharpness of any knife edge quickly.

Here is an important note for you! Never soak this whetstone in water. Soaking may break the structure of the stone, leading to cracking issues.

Pros

  • 1000-grit face for general sharpening tasks
  • 6000-grit face for refining the dull edge of a dull knife blade
  • Plastic base holding the knife during sharpening
  • Affordable price

Cons

  • Not allowed to soak the whetstone in the water
  • Becoming uneven after a time of usage

Bottom line

You can use this KING KW65 for either sharpening a knife or refining the blade edge. The dual-sided design will give you a lot of convenience in use.

6. Sharp Pebble Premium Whetstone ‎8541909078 – Best For Ease In Use

Important Specifications

  • Brand: Sharp Pebble
  • Weight: 2.‎12 pounds
  • Package dimensions:‎ 7.25 x 2.25 x 1 inches
  • Material: Aluminium Oxide
  • Base material: Bamboo
  • Color: Blue, white
  • Set content: 1000/6000, angle guide

Product’s Highlights

 Any beginner can get along well with this Sharp Pebble ‎8541909078. The product is super easy to use and clean.

The set includes all essential tools that can be quickly attached together. You just need to stabilize the whetstone on the bamboo base, and it will stay balanced during the entire sharpening period.

There is no need to buy expensive honing oil for this whetstone. Just soak the stone in water, and it will work at high efficiency.

Also, never worry about metal particles sticking on the whetstone surface while sharpening. After finishing the job, you can easily clean the mess on the rock by washing it under the tap water.

The angle guide coming in the package has disappointed us. It does not support us in getting a consistent sharpening edge. In addition, sometimes, this guide scratches up a blade side.

Pros

  • Easy to assemble
  • No oil required
  • Ease in cleaning
  • Dual-sided design for versatility

Cons

  • Angle guide not giving consistent sharpening edge
  • Angle guide scratching up a side of the blade

Bottom line

We recommend the Sharp Pebble ‎8541909078 to all beginners. This set is not only easy to assemble, convenient to use, but also very simple to clean after using!

7. Finew Knife Sharpening Stone Kit – Best For Flat Blades

Important Specifications

  • Brand: Finew
  • Weight: 4.35 pounds
  • Package dimensions:‎ 8.5 x 3.5 x 3.54 inches
  • Material: Corundum
  • Base material: Bamboo
  • Color: Blue, green, red, white
  • Set content: 400/1000, 3000/8000, knife guide, flat stone

Product’s Highlights

The Finew Knife Sharpening Stone Kit is specially designed for sharpening flat knife blades. You can use this equipment to sharpen the blade of a scissor, a razor, or even an axe!

This kit contains 2 dual-sided sharpening whetstones. 1 stone features 400 and 1000 grits that will help you renew any dull blade. The other water stone features 3000 and 8000 grits to support refining and polishing the blade.

Before sharpening the blade, please soak the stone in water or some lubricating detergents. As the whetstone is wet, it will help you do the smoother sharpening.

Keep in mind that this product is only for flat blades. Don’t use these whetstones to sharpen a serrated or a ceramic knife, or else they will break the small edges of the blade.

Pros

  • 400/1000 whetstone for sharpening dull blades
  • 3000/8000 whetstones for refining and polishing
  • Flattening stone keeping the surface of whetstones flat
  • Support all types of flat blades

Cons

  • Not suitable for ceramic or serrated blades
  • Instructions not included

Bottom line

This Finew Sharpening Stone Kit can deal with all types of flat blades. Whenever you want to sharpen an axe, a razor, or a scissor, you can rely on the whetstones in this set!

8. KNIFEPLANET Premium Knife Sharpening Stone Set – Best For Slipping Prevention

Important Specifications

  • Brand: KNIFEPLANET
  • Weight: 5.39 pounds
  • Package dimensions:‎ 9.8 x 8.27 x 3.78 inches
  • Material: Stone
  • Base material: Bamboo, rubber
  • Color: green, silver, white, red, black
  • Set content: 400/1000, 3000/8000, flattening stone

Product’s Highlights

It is quite bad that the whetstones do not stay in place during the sharpening process. However, this issue will never happen if you use the KNIFEPLANET set!

Along with the 2 dual-sided whetstones, the package includes a bamboo base and 2 non-slip rubber holders. These pieces of equipment feature high-quality non-slip paddings. They will not slip no matter how much pressure you put on them while sharpening the blades.

Thanks to the base and holders, the whetstones can stay in their place. There will be no more falling or accidents. You can totally rest assured about the safety of usage.

After lubricating the whetstones, you better sharpen your knife quickly. These stones seem to dry out fastly, no matter how much you soak them in the water.

Pros

  • Dual-sided design for multiple ways of sharpening
  • 1 base and 2 holders keeping the stones in place
  • Flattening stone keeping the surface of the whetstones flat
  • Giving razor-sharp results

Cons

  • Not allowed to soak the whetstones in oils
  • Whetstones drying out quickly

Bottom line

All the injury risks have been reduced, all thanks to the non-slip holders of the KNIFEPLANET set. All the whetstones will stay stable in their place while you are sharpening. This kit will be a great deal for beginners who require high safety in use.

9. MIKARTO Professional Knife Sharpening Stones – Best For Durability

Important Specifications

  • Brand: MIKARTO
  • Weight: 2.05 pounds
  • Package dimensions:‎ ‎7.1 x 2.36 x 1.2 inches
  • Material: Corundum
  • Base material: Plastic
  • Color: Blue, white
  • Set content: 1000/6000

Product’s Highlights

In case you require a long-lasting set of Japanese whetstones, we advise you to get this MIKARTO product.

All the stones in this set are constructed of premium quality corundum. As you know, corundum is a rock-forming mineral, which is a part of solid aluminum oxide. Thanks to this material, the whetstones can keep their shape for a long period of time, no matter how frequently you sharpen your knives.

Most products come up with a bamboo or wooden base, which is easily damaged by moisture. However, the MIKARTO company has applied slick and sturdy plastic to build the stand. This material will not warp or crack in any weather condition.

The package comes up with no instructions. In the beginning, you may have to struggle a little bit to learn how to use these whetstones.

Pros

  • Premium quality corundum construction
  • Plastic stands withstanding the impact of moisture
  • Dual functioning
  • Working both indoor and outdoor

Con

  • No instruction coming along

Bottom line

The MIKARTO whetstones have a sturdy construction of premium corundum. They will remain functional and durable for a long period of time. If you need a long-lasting product, this set is our recommendation.

10. Grocery Art Whetstone Knife Sharpener – Best For Protecting Kitchen Surface

Important Specifications

  • Brand: Grocery Art
  • Weight: 1.9 pounds
  • Package dimensions:‎ ‎9 x 4.5 x 3 inches
  • Material: Corundum
  • Base material: Bamboo
  • Color: Blue, white
  • Set content: 1000/6000,  angle guide, conditioning stone

Product’s Highlights

The final product on our list is the Grocery Art Whetstone Knife Sharpener. When using this product, you never worry about cutting on the kitchen surface!

As the basis of other products, this stand also works to prevent sliding. Since the whetstone is placed in this base, it will not slip or move while you are sharpening your blade.

But that is not all the features of this stand. The cool thing is, it can keep distance between your knife and the kitchen surface. You are free to sharpen the blade as quickly as you can without scraping or damaging any object on the surface.

This whetstone does not support ceramic or serrated blades. If you use the rock to sharpen these types of knives, it may damage the small blade edges.

Pros

  • Bamboo stand preventing sliding
  • Bamboo stand protecting the kitchen surface
  • 2-side design for flexible working
  • Angle guide for accurate sharpening

Cons

  • Not allowed to soak the whetstone in oils
  • Not support ceramic or serrated blades

Bottom line

Both beginners and professionals can rely on this Grocery Art Whetstone Knife Sharpener. With a quality bamboo base, the product will support you in sharpening any blade accurately while keeping the kitchen surface safe.

What to look at before Shopping for the best Japanese Whetstone?

There are several factors that help you find the best Japanese whetstones. In this section, we will explain all those features!

Size

Whetstones appear in different sizes. Depending on your purposes, you will decide the suitable stone dimensions.

For example, if you only need a product to sharpen regular kitchen knives, then a small whetstone can already serve your needs well.

On the other hand, you need a bigger whetstone for sharpening chef knives or cleavers.

Grit Grade

Different whetstones have different grit particles. The stone with a specific amount of grit will work for many tasks, such as rough grinding, sharpening, and refining the knife edges.

Most knives available on the market are labeled with the number of grit grades. However, some models have the number replaced by the level. For example:

  • Rough: The grit is from 120 to 140
  • Medium: The grit is from 700 to 3000
  • Smooth: The grit is from 3000 to 10000

– Rough Whetstones

A rough stone is commonly used for fixing the chipped edges of a knife. If you notice chips on the blade or your knife blade becomes very dull, we advise you to use the stone at the rough level.

– Medium Whetstones

Most homeowners choose a medium whetstone. This level is suitable for general sharpening.

You can use this type of whetstone to sharpen your knife every time before cooking.

– Smooth Whetstones

A smooth whetstone is more likely to be used for Japanese chef knives. It can help you get rid of all the scratches on the surface of the knife blade, thereby making it look smoother.

In some special cases, many people use the smooth whetstone to buff and polish the knife blade.

Types Of Whetstones

There are 3 common types of whetstones on the market. You can easily distinguish the type by checking the material of the stone.

In detail, here are the features of every type of whetstones:

– Natural Whetstones 

As the name describes, a natural whetstone is mined from natural materials.

In Western nations, people usually use the Novaculite rock, also known as Arkansas stone, to make this sharpening product. This material is solid and can last for a long period of time.

On the downside, Novaculites stones do not support fast sharpening. You need to lubricate this item with oil or water before sharpening the knife.

In Japan, the manufacturers often use sedimentary rock to make the whetstones. Compared to Arkansas rocks, this sedimentary is softer and less durable.

But on the positive side, the Japanese stones enable faster lapping. You can trust them for quick sharpening knives.

A cool thing is, the sedimentary rock only gets along well with water, not oil. Due to this reason, people call Japanese whetstones water stones.

Synthetic Whetstones

Synthetic rocks have another name, which is artificial whetstones. This type of stone can work at a higher consistency than natural rocks.

This synthetic item is usually a combination of aluminum oxide and silicon carbide. The manufacturers can stick these 2 materials together using a binding agent (clay/resin/glass).

– Diamond Plates

As you know, diamond is the hardest mineral material on Earth. A whetstone with diamond plates is ideal for sharpening any other solid object.

Some people can even use diamond plates to fix uneven water stones. Although this type of stone is quite expensive, it can last for multiple years.

Styles

There are 2 styles of whetstones – single grit stones and multi-grit stones.

The single stone has only 1 grade of grit on its body.

On the other side, a multi-grit stone (combination stone) is divided into 2 sides. Each part has a different amount of grit. For example, you can find a 1000/6000 whetstone on the market.

FAQs on the whetstones

Below are some common questions you may have while finding the best Japanese whetstones.

#1:  Is 1000 Grit Stone Enough?

If you need a whetstone for sharpening home knives, 1000 grits are more than enough. A 1000-grit stone can help you make super sharp edges for dull knives.

For advanced tools other than a home knife, we recommend a stone that has 2000 – 3000 grits.

#2: What Angle Do You Sharpen A Knife On A Whetstone?

The perfect angle, where the edge of a knife meets the stone, is 22 ½ degrees. Whether you use the whetstone for sharpening a home knife or a chef knife, always do the work at this angle!

#3: Do You Need Two Whetstones?

Normally, you require a minimum of 3 whetstones for sharpening a knife. Each stone will work for the following different purposes:

  • 1 stone for rough-grinding the knife
  • 1 stone for sharpening the knife
  • 1 stone for honing the knife

But nowadays, there is a special type of combination sharpening stone that can support the 3 above works.

#4: Do You Need To Soak A Whetstone?

Our answer is yes. Before sharpening a knife, you should soak the whetstone in either water or oil. These wet substances can help the stone hold the grit in suspension better.

#5: How Do You Clean A Whetstone After Use?

It is quite simple to clean a whetstone after use. All you need to do is rinse the stone under the tap water. 

While rinsing the stone, you should use your hands or a towel to get rid of all the leftover debris or metal fillings on it. The rinsing process should be from 60 – 120 seconds.

After you complete cleaning, don’t forget to pat the stone dry with paper or towel! 

#6: Are All Whetstones Created Equal?

Our answer is no. As you know, whetstones come up with different amounts of grits. The common stones on the market usually have grit from 1000 to 8000. Each grit works for different purposes.

  • 1000 grits are usually for repairing knives with chipped edges
  • 1000 grits – 3000 grits work greatly for sharpening a dull knife
  • Above 4000 grits are ideal for knife-edge refining

#7: Are Whetstones Better Than A Sharpener?

When it comes to sharpening time, a sharpener is better. You need a lot of time to sharpen a knife with a whetstone.

However, a sharpener can not give a great result as whetstones can. A knife usually gets the razor edge when it is sharpened with a stone.

#8: How to use whetstone to sharpen knife?

Final Words

Above are 10 best Japanese whetstones. Has any product caught your eyes?

Overall, we like the Intelitopia Complete Knife Sharpening Stone Set most. This kit contains all the essential pieces of equipment that you need to sharpen your knives. All the tools in the set are made of high quality. They definitely will serve you for many seasons to come!

And now, our article will come to an end. Many thanks for reading!

Further Reading:

How to Sharpen Your Knife on a Whetstone?

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